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Bakkatjörn

Reykjavík  >  Iceland

At the tip of Seltjarnarnes, Bakkatjörn claims the crown as the best place to witness bird migration in the capital area.

Ajouté* par Janusz Jagiello
Dernière actualisation 21 mars 2026

Description

Few places combine accessibility and action so well as Bakkatjörn. While Bakkatjörn is a fruitful location year round, it is its position as migration hotspot that has given its status as legendary birding place amongst Icelanders. During spring and autumn, the shallow pond becomes a staging ground for shorebirds at high tide, alongside ducks, gulls, geese and swans. In winter, Cygne chanteur, Oie cendrée and gulls like Goéland bourgmestre , Goéland à ailes blanches , Mouette rieuse and Goéland cendré can be observed as they wait for neighbourhood bird feeders. The freeze-thaw rhythm of the pond even works as a seasonal clock: when it melts, migration is already underway; when it freezes, winter has settled in. Bakkatjörn pond is also teeming with life in summertime. Tadorne de Belon, Huîtrier pie, Plongeon catmarin, Barge à queue noire, Sterne arctique, Eider à duvet, Cygne chanteur and Pipit farlouse are expected breeding birds.

The site is one of the most important nesting grounds of Sterne arctique in the capital region. The immediate habitats connected to Bakkatjörn, such as the coastlines of Seltjörn (W) and Bakkavík (S) offer good alternative birding places when the tide is low and/or if the pond is empty. In addition to this, Bakkatjörn has hosted its share of headline rarities over the years., including nearctic waders, gulls and ducks. Visitors are asked to avoid walking too close to the pond, to bird from the car when driving along the southern edge, and to keep dogs on leashes during breeding season.

Détails

Accès

Bus stops, bike paths and parking are all nearby, and the wooden hide on the western side allows for comfortable viewing in almost any weather. Located within a walking distance (5 km) from the centre of Reykjavik, it it also reachable by foot. You can park your car at the parking lot on Suðurströnd street. Click on the P in the map for directions.

Terrain et Habitat

Zone humide , Plage , Lac , Prairie , Arbres et buissons disséminés , Landes/bruyères , Dunes , Mer/océan

Conditions

Sablonneux , Vallonné , Paysage ouvert

Boucle

Non

Avez-vous besoin d'une longue-vue?

Peut être utile

Saison idéale pour observer

Toute l'année

Meilleure période pour une visite

Migration printanière , Migration automnale

Itinéraire

Route non pavée

Niveau de difficulté de l'itinéraire

Facile

Accessible via

A pied , Vélo , Voiture , Fauteuil roulant

Observatoire/hutte d'observation

Oui

Informations supplémentaires

You can combine visiting this spot with a stay in Reykjavik (which gives you birding opportunities of spending time at Lake Tjörnin or cruising the bay - both spots are already described separately). Please note that the seashore and beaches are also worth exploring on foot in the nearby areas.

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